Agricultural Data Systems Specialist

Organizational Setting:

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

Reporting Lines:

The Agricultural Data Systems Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative of the Philippines ad interim, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in coordination with the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) and guidance from of the Mindanao and Emergency and Preparedness Group (MERG).

Technical Focus:

FAO is implementing a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in enhancing farmers information system for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Agriculture that would enable timely, critical, and efficient decision-making and delivery of interventions to improve the management of crops and farm lots. This is through capacity building of the agriculture sector on data collection and information management.

Tasks and responsibilities

With close collaboration with Department of Agriculture (DA) and other relevant partners, the Agricultural Data Systems Specialist will undertake the following duties:

1. Provide project management and leadership in preparing consolidated plans and activities and their implementation in accordance with the objectives of the Project;
2. Coordinate the establishment and maintenance of functional and institutional linkages between implementing partners and concerned national and local agencies and stakeholders to obtain support during and after project implementation;
3. Establish a time-phased work plan in accordance with the project objectives, components, and deliverables within the framework of the project duration;
4. Facilitate active involvement of all partners in all aspects of work planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
5. Coordinate timely and efficient provision of project inputs and delivery of outputs, and regular monitoring and evaluation of project activities in conformity with the technical cooperation procedures of FAO;
6. Provide technical inputs and organize project activities, including training, organization building and awareness raising campaigns and project advocacy;
7. Provide technical guidance for community mobilization at local levels and for setting up field activities;
8. Serve as ex-officio member of the Project Steering Committee, and be responsible for organizing meetings and providing secretariat support to the PSC;
9. Oversee, guide, and manage work of other project management staff;
10. Oversee all technical, administrative, and financial matters relating to the project;
11. Coordinate timely submission of reports, ensuring that these are of high professional standard, in accordance with FAO guidelines; and
12. Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by the FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Information Technology or related fields
• At least five (5) years of working experience with Governments or the private sector on successful implementation of information technology
• A national of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in collecting data requirements and metrics including data collection methodologies, analysis, and reporting guidelines; validation of data reported in system; system maintenance protocols and manuals; pilot testing of systems, manuals, protocols, and other recommendations; design an enhanced data system and infrastructures; and process framework, documentation, and manuals.
• Engagement with multiple and varied stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the Department of Agriculture’s Farmers and Fisherfolk Registration System and/or Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA) is an advantage.
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog.